Open mike 26/04/2020

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 26th, 2020 - 156 comments
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156 comments on “Open mike 26/04/2020 ”

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  1. RedLogix 1
    26 April 2020 at 7:49 am

    Malcom Turnbull's kiss and tell has spiced up an otherwise steady diet of COVID news on this side of the Tasman for some weeks. From a climate change point of view he's come out pointing the finger of blame for the denialist cult firmly at the Murdoch empire:

    He argues that the "crazed ideology" dictating the Liberal Party's policy on climate could now only be altered by a crushing electoral defeat, or an about-face on the issue from media magnate Rupert Murdoch.

    …

    Mr Turnbull describes Rupert Murdoch's media empire as "the largest endorser of climate denialism in the world".

    "I think if Lachlan Murdoch decided to become a greenie overnight, the Coalition would switch instantly. They'd turn on a dime. Andrew Bolt would suddenly discover he was a greenie, Alan Jones would develop a passionate love for solar panels, Peta Credlin would be, you know, into pumped hydro — they'd all switch," he insists.

    • Cinny 1.1
      26 April 2020 at 9:49 am

      Mr Turnbull describes Rupert Murdoch's media empire as "the largest endorser of climate denialism in the world".

      How long has it taken him to work that one out? Well at least he's being vocal about it, credit where credit is due.

      From earlier in the year… first story up approx 11 mins long.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZmdrDaH4eo

      Murdoch's media empire has long held a disproportionate influence over Australian politics and he and Prime Minister Scott Morrison are united on this issue. Throw in Murdoch's close ties to Australia's powerful fossil fuel lobby and all the elements are there for a conspiracy of disinformation on the biggest, gravest story of our time.

    • Sacha 1.2
      26 April 2020 at 10:58 am

      At least Turnbull is finally acknowledging who was really in charge. What ripples is that causing in the current govt and their backers?

  2. Sacha 2
    26 April 2020 at 9:07 am

    That's nice for you. Mind telling the rest of us what it is?

    • halfcrown 2.1
      26 April 2020 at 9:12 am

      Can't you see it? I might cancel this and try again.
      It was a funny to bring a smile to one’s face, unfortunately I cannot seem to get the thing to work on the Standard
      Will have to “study” a bit more how to paste items on here.

  3. Cinny 3
    26 April 2020 at 9:42 am

    Spoke to my friend who is an ECE worker at a busy childcare centre.

    In a normal day there would be around 30 -35 pre-schoolers attending their facility.

    Of that number only four, are going to return to preschool this week.

    • aj 3.1
      26 April 2020 at 9:57 am

      Which shows that parents are following advice. Use their own judgement and send children to these facilities only if absolutely necessary.

    • Heather Grimwood 3.2
      26 April 2020 at 10:01 am

      to Cinny at 2 : At least shows that most littlies and their teachers will be safe…guess keeping distance no problem with possibly one-to- one correspondence! Also would seem to indicate that most emergency workers have either organised otherwise or have no small ones. ( depends of course on the locality of this one example.)

    • Treetop 3.3
      26 April 2020 at 10:30 am

      Are you aware that there is no before school or after school care for children at level 3?

      The ECE centres which are opening appear to be doing so in bubbles of about 4.

      I would like to know whether there is a difference in privately run centres and government run centres when it comes to opening?

      I do not envy ECE teachers/ workers or teachers of new entrants, year 1 and 2.

      At some point children will need to return to school. I did hear that there is going to be social distancing at level 2.

      With winter to consider and children being indoors and the flu season, the Ministry of Education need to work closely with the Ministry of Health. The measuses taken need to be able to be implemented and based on proven science in a NZ setting and the season of the year.

      • I Feel Love 3.3.1
        26 April 2020 at 10:34 am

        I've got my kids staying home and their teacher told me none of her kids are showing up next week.

      • Cinny 3.3.2
        26 April 2020 at 10:38 am

        I would like to know whether there is a difference in privately run centres and government run centres when it comes to opening?

        I'd suggest you contact the Ministry or search the Covid website as it appears to be an issue for you Treetop.

        You could contact kindergartens (govt) and childcare centres (private) in your own area and share your findings. Same for after school care.

        Parents are rather wise and will keep their children home whenever they possibly can during a pandemic. NZ people are great like that, they work together.

    • Incognito 3.4
      26 April 2020 at 12:49 pm

      Baby steps.

  4. Stephen D 4
    26 April 2020 at 10:00 am

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/121249170/paul-godsmith-getting-new-zealand-working-again-heres-my-plan

    Paul Goldsmith, bring the same old crap to the party. The market will provide!

    For some weird reason, I can post, but not reply.

    Ps, Stuff really do need a sub editor.

    • ianmac 4.1
      26 April 2020 at 10:18 am

      Stephen I thought that that call from Mr Goldsmith could have just as easily come from the current Government. Except that the Government sees more infrastructure being needed after years of neglect. And a willingness to consult with the expertise of many interested parties. And clear leadership from the top.

      Perhaps Goldsmith would prefer a hands off approach and leave smitten businesses to sink – with no handouts.

      • Sabine 4.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 10:34 am

        well to be fair…….

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12327486

        Labour MP Deborah Russell has backtracked on her comments regarding small businesses' own responsibility for being in trouble in the pandemic.

        Earlier this week, Russell made headlines when she said businesses in trouble "after only a few weeks in a pretty bad situation" was a sign they did not have the necessary strength.

        During a select committee hearing on Tuesday, the Labour MP for New Lynn, a former academic, questioned Finance Minister Grant Robertson about her "concerns around small and medium business" and what was being done to build up business strength.

        "We are seeing a number of small businesses really struggling, after only a few weeks in a pretty bad situation, which must speak to the strength of those small businesses going into this lockdown.

        there is not much difference between the highly paid and rather useless suits in government. The blue don't hide their contempt for the workers of the country, and labour pretends to be 'kinder and gentler' in their contempt. Both parties don't give a shit about the working class of this country. And if anything, it shows with ever passing day that the government does nothing for small/medium/large and micro businesses.

        • Treetop 4.1.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 10:55 am

          Small business were always going to take a hit when it comes to a consumer accessing their product, if the service/product is a want before a need.

          Some businesses may survive if they combine with another business and this would reduce overheads.

        • Peter 4.1.1.2
          26 April 2020 at 11:24 am

          Russell said some businesses in trouble "after only a few weeks in a pretty bad situation" was a sign they did not have the necessary strength.' Was she right?

          If Russell had said "Bauer being only a few weeks in a pretty bad situation was a sign they did not have the necessary strength' would she have been right?

          Does her saying that mean that she and her party don't give a shit about the working class of this country and shows with ever passing day that the government does nothing for small/medium/large and micro businesses?

          Did Russell condemn business owners for not having the 'strength'?

          • pat 4.1.1.2.1
            26 April 2020 at 11:48 am

            "That's not sustainable," says Steven Scheckter, owner of On Trays Emporium in Petone. Shepherd Elliot of Shepherd estimates the over-supply may run as high as 10 to 15 per cent.

            Such fierce competition means New Zealand restaurateurs are loath to be the first to put their prices up. Yet this they desperately need to do, in order to recover their own dramatically escalating costs – of wages, rent and food. There's also a dire shortage of skilled staff.

            Already the cracks are beginning to show in the number of high-profile closures in main centres this year."

            https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/115028830/done-like-a-dinner-nzs-hospitality-crisis

            August 2019

          • mary_a 4.1.1.3.1
            26 April 2020 at 2:19 pm

            Hi Chris @ (3.1.1.3). I read about this greedy, despicable arsehole earlier today.

            How Black could possibly act like he has done and then boast about it during a nationwide crisis, thieving from Kiwi workers is totally beyond comprehension. Then has the gall to ridicule the government for "throwing money about," while pocketing it himslelf, claiming it's to help his business, so as to keep his workers in a job! A liar and a cheat of the worst kind.

            A dishonest, thieving, fraudulant creep, is to put it mildly. Can only hope the law deals with him and his ilk harshly.

            Yep, National would love Black, if he's not one of them alreasy!

            • Peter 4.1.1.3.1.1
              26 April 2020 at 3:45 pm

              It's about Stuff trying to make a story and finding someone to oblige. According to what was there:

              'It was just a stupid idea from the Labour Government, the Government was "stupid" to pay out, ”We've got people making really big decisions without a lot of forethought."

              To me it sounds like he hates Labour, doesn't want them in power and thinks the alternative, National I suppose, would have acted with forethought

              When he said, "it frustrates the hell out of me," I assume he means Labour being in Government. If the Government trying to help businesses frustrates him he should change his name to Dick.

          • McFlock 4.1.1.3.2
            26 April 2020 at 5:10 pm

            Seems to me he's saying the subsidy did its job, and now he gets a free audit lol

    • Ad 4.2
      26 April 2020 at 11:22 am

      If National really have the inside running on private sector leadership, then they should demonstrate that by bringing together a massive group of the good and the great of NZ business leadership to outlines their plans.

      I wish someone would.

    • Grantoc 4.3
      26 April 2020 at 12:05 pm

      Stephen

      You're misrepresenting Goldsmith.

      His article discusses the way different sectors can contribute to our ability to recover from the economic impact of Covid -19.

      He acknowledges the role of government, alongside the role of the private sector. Neither can drive the economic recovery on its own; both of these key sectors need to be involved in an inter related way.

      • ianmac 4.3.1
        26 April 2020 at 1:17 pm

        If I was a small Business Owner, what was Goldsmith actually promoting for my 3 person business to survive that was not already in the wings?

  5. Morrissey 5
    26 April 2020 at 10:26 am

    Possible Replacements for Bumbling Bridges
    No. 1: SIMON O’CONNOR

    Positives:
    (1) He has a lovely wife.

    (2) He’s opposed to old and sick people being “euthanized.”

    Negatives:
    (1) He’s a Simon. That carries very bad associations right now.

    (2) He’s a rather ridiculous royalist, who a few years ago drove the doddering old reprobate Sir Robert Jones into the following spittle-flecked denunciation….

    You’re a thirty-five-year-old octogenarian! If you are the future of the National Party, then—- arrrrrrrggghhh!

    https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/womans-mag-editor-humiliates-dyspeptic.html

    This series is compiled by the team at Daisycutter Sports, Inc.

    Coming up: Paula Bennett

  6. Andre 6
    26 April 2020 at 10:27 am

    Worldwide fatalities from COVID are certainly being undercounted. One way to get a handle on how large the undercount might be is to compare actual deaths to expected deaths for that time period. The Economist article linked below (not paywalled) takes a look and it's scary.

    https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/04/16/tracking-covid-19-excess-deaths-across-countries

    • I Feel Love 6.1
      26 April 2020 at 10:32 am

      20,000 covid deaths in the UK, and that's not counting covid deaths at home, resthomes or hospices, so yes, there's def under reporting.

      • Peter 6.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 11:27 am

        Can you see the Trump going on about his mate Boris fudging the figures? Last week on the podium when the graphs were up he said (paraphrased, "But you don't believe those numbers from Chine A, everyone knows they're fake."

    • Treetop 6.2
      26 April 2020 at 10:46 am

      Everything that Covid-19 does is undercounted. Watch a spike in medical conditions for survivors. Probably there is just the one cause of death being entered Covid-19 and not organ failure or an antecedent cause. I have not raised anxiety/depression and grief which many will require support for.

    • patricia 6.3
      26 April 2020 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks Andre, a thought provoking post. I look forward to your take on things as you present facts rather than reckons.

  7. Andre 7
    26 April 2020 at 10:50 am

    New York City now has approximately 16,000 deaths attributed to COVID, roughly 40,000 hospitalisations, and roughly 150,000 and those almost certainly undercounts. While those rates may have dropped off their peak a little bit, new cases, hospitalisations and deaths are still coming thick and fast. Even with their lockdown.

    Per million, that's 1900 deaths (0.19% population death rate), 4750 hospitalisations, 18,000 cases. Scaled to New Zealand's population, that's 9100 deaths, 23,000 hospitalisations, 86,000 cases.

    Just something to keep in mind when people publish stuff claiming infection fatality rates might be as low as 0.1% (obviously laughably wrong), or that New Zealand's response was too tough or that we really need to charge hard to go back to how things were before.

    Particularly when those comments come from people whose only ideas for dealing with the coming pandemic were tax cuts.

    • Cinny 7.1
      26 April 2020 at 10:53 am

      I read last night something like 1 in 56 New Yorker's are infected. sad

      • joe90 7.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 11:23 am

        Worse.

        • New York City reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on March 1; a new model from Northeastern University says nearly 11,000 people in the city could already have been infected by then, NYT reported
        • 13.9% of people tested in a New York COVID-19 antibody study tested positive, meaning they had the virus, Cuomo says; that means up to 2.7 million people could have been infected statewide
        • Nearly 23,000 lives have been lost to coronavirus in the tri-state area to date; more than 386,000 people have been infected — and those are just the ones we know about. NJ will eclipse 100k cases Friday

        Preliminary results from New York's first coronavirus antibody study show nearly 14 percent tested positive, meaning they had the virus at some point and recovered, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday. That equates to 2.7 million infections statewide — more than 10 times the state's confirmed cases

        https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-virus-deaths-top-15k-cuomo-expected-to-detail-plan-to-fight-nursing-home-outbreaks/2386556/

        • Treetop 7.1.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 12:13 pm

          Did you catch up with the first case of death from Covid-19 on 6 February 2020 in California? The next death was on 17 February 2020. Obviously was in the population undetected. Cannot do a link on my phone.

          Cuomo is doing a good job compared to Trump. Cuomo is being a leader. Shame Cuomo is not standing for president. I need to look it up if he put himself forward as a candidate.

      • Andre 7.1.2
        26 April 2020 at 11:27 am

        Yup. 8,400,000 New York city residents divided by 150,000 cases is indeed 1 in 56.

        But that's almost certainly a massive undercount. More than half the tests they do come back positive, so there's a shitload out there with it that have never been near a medical facility to get counted. More realistic estimates from credible sources range from 5% to 20% infection rate. Which is still a long way short of the 50% plus needed before the epidemic would naturally burn itself out.

        • Cinny 7.1.2.1
          26 April 2020 at 12:27 pm

          FOrk!

          I also heard that the tests cost money. Have you heard that Andre, that you have to pay to get a test?

          Another thing I wondered is due to no free health care, would people hold off seeking medical help until it was too late?

          • I Feel Love 7.1.2.1.1
            26 April 2020 at 12:37 pm

            Of course in the USA tests cost money, lots of money. There's also medical centres closing down and laying staff off because they're profit making businesses, by shutting down surgery and other procedures they're not making money. It's a very poor system.

            (I was shocked how much abortion costs over there, thousands of dollars, it's such a sad country).

          • Andre 7.1.2.1.2
            26 April 2020 at 12:43 pm

            One of the coronavirus relief bills already passed includes free coronavirus testing. But medical centres are still finding ways to stick people with huge bills for turning up to get free testing.

            https://www.cnet.com/how-to/are-coronavirus-tests-free-yes-but-you-still-might-get-a-bill/

            Prior to this, I read about bills averaging $1500 and going as high as $3000 to get a test done. Even if you had insurance that should have covered it, there would still be huge co-pays plus the hassle of dealing with insurance.

            All in all, there's huge incentive to keep well clear of the US medical system unless you are desperately in need of help and willing to risk bankruptcy to get it.

            Even with a good insurance plan, there's still good reason to keep clear. Over the 9 years I was there in the 90s, I basically wrote off about a couple grand in doctors visit fees for routine simple things that my insurance should have covered, but in the end I gave up on the hassle of getting the insurance to pay up. It will be way worse now.

          • Stunned Mullet 7.1.2.1.3
            26 April 2020 at 12:54 pm

            'Another thing I wondered is due to no free health care, would people hold off seeking medical help until it was too late?'

            Well as it's happening in NZ even with a free healthcare system it is easy to predict it would happen in the USA.

    • Sacha 7.2
      26 April 2020 at 10:55 am

      people whose only ideas for dealing with the coming pandemic were tax cuts.

      Some easy clips for an election campaign.

    • Stunned Mullet 7.3
      26 April 2020 at 12:52 pm

      I can't see why anyone would compare NZ's COVID-19 response and outcomes to those of NY ?

      NZ has little inc common with NY apart from we both speak a common language (kind of).

      • Incognito 7.3.1
        26 April 2020 at 1:18 pm

        Fair question. No two countries/regions are the same. Just pick any one to compare with NZ to suit your narrative. When it no longer suits your narrative, find another one to compare with. Rinse and repeat. Steve Elers made the same mistake in his blatantly biased and stupid opinion piece on Stuff yesterday; thick as a brick, IMHO.

      • Andre 7.3.2
        26 April 2020 at 1:29 pm

        When I'm looking at what might be a reasonable response to a situation, I find it useful to look for something that could plausibly represent the worst-case scenario. Along with a bunch of other better scenarios for comparison.

        New York gives a hint at how bad things could have got here had we held off on lockdowns until our situation became much worse.

  8. Cinny 8
    26 April 2020 at 10:50 am

    Strange going's on in the USA ….

    NO presser for trump today, that's a first.

    He's going full nato on twitter re fake news. I guess he's upset that people are calling him stupid.

    What is the purpose of having White House News Conferences when the Lamestream Media asks nothing but hostile questions, & then refuses to report the truth or facts accurately. They get record ratings, & the American people get nothing but Fake News. Not worth the time & effort!

    Fun fact, trump respects the american people soooo much that he is always, always late to these conferences, from 15 mins to up to an hour late, every single day.

    USA is going to implode, the division trump is causing is off the hook.

    • ScottGN 8.1
      26 April 2020 at 1:15 pm

      According to New York Times Republicans are getting some very scary polling coming thru. They’re suggesting that as well as the White House there’s a growing possibility that even the GOP’s majority in The Senate could be overturned in November. They’ve got to rein Trump in before it’s too late

    • Peter 8.2
      26 April 2020 at 2:18 pm

      I wouldn't get at Trump's tardiness to the conferences. I don't know what happens out the back with people trying to get their stories together and extra time being needed to at least try to get Trump to see the point.

      No doubt sometimes the delays are theatrics. He knows he has everyone in the room and around the world in the palm of his hand, waiting. They rely on him, they need him and while he can't control what they think making them wait is a childish way to exercise some power.

      It would be good if the empire struck back like an April fools prank and deserted the room before he and his entourage entered, every single person including all the TV people. (One of the worst 'conferences' was the April 1st one as it turned out.). That isn't going to happen what with Fox and the White House itself beaming coverage out.

      One journalist stuffed up one day when he asked a perfectly fair, ordinary question. He was insistent when Trump wouldn't answer properly. Trump said, "If you ask that again I'm leaving." The journalist didn't ask it again. Had the journalist been as narcissistic as Trump he would have taken the challenge. Didn't want to take away the public's access to information I think. Unless he thought his life would have been over by carrying through. It spoiled what should have been our fun and denied him the chance of being a legend.

  10. coge 10
    26 April 2020 at 11:47 am

    Are any of you thinking Labour should call an early election?

    Good chance to lock in the gains, which might not endure later this year. An announcement of level two, might be the best time. Clearly changes would need to be incorporated at polling stations. These could also be announced at the same time.

    Going to the people to secure a mandate, for these difficult times.

    • Andre 10.1
      26 April 2020 at 11:49 am

      Maybe it's just me, but that kind of cynical opportunism would piss me right off.

      • Chris T 10.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 1:58 pm

        Indeed.

        To the point of probably back-firing on them.

        Doubt Winston would agree any way.

        • observer 10.1.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 2:23 pm

          It would backfire, and I'm sure Ardern does not intend to do it anyway.

          But for the record, she would not need Winston's agreement. The PM announces the date, no approval required from NZF. That's why she's picked September, and his own preference for November is irrelevant.

    • Sacha 10.2
      26 April 2020 at 11:50 am

      You need to have communicated a plan before securing a mandate for it. That takes a few months at least, after securing internal agreement. How does say September sound?

      • weka 10.2.1
        26 April 2020 at 12:06 pm

        Hard to secure a mandate when there are three parties involved, one of whom is notorious for keeping their cards close to their chest pre-election.

    • observer 10.3
      26 April 2020 at 12:17 pm

      "Clearly changes would need to be incorporated at polling stations. These could also be announced at the same time."

      That's the Electoral Commission's job. NZ is not the USA, election rules are not decided by gerrymandering incumbents. So, no.

      There is no chance of Ardern trying to "cash in" with a snap election. She's no fool, and knows what the reaction would be. There is a slight chance of one being forced, by NZF imploding, but still unlikely.

      September it is.

  11. joe90 11
    26 April 2020 at 11:55 am

    I guess the one country two systems was always a convenient nonsense.

    With the world distracted by the novel coronavirus pandemic, China has carried out a power grab in the former British colony, whose way of life it had pledged to preserve until 2047. In recent days, authorities have said for the first time that Beijing’s representative offices in the territory can “supervise” Hong Kong’s internal affairs — a step that legal experts say violates its constitutional firewall with the mainland. The Basic Law stipulates that the city should run its own affairs, including the police and immigration system, apart from defense and foreign relations.

    Beijing officials also called for Hong Kong to introduce a national security law — shelved when an earlier attempt at its introduction sparked massive protests in 2003 — and reached further into the city’s legislature with attacks on pro-democracy lawmakers.

    The shift “signals the death of the ‘two systems,’ ” said Eric Cheung, a legal scholar at the University of Hong Kong. “It is quite clear that they are now bringing the mainland system, the mainland idea of supervision and rule of law, here.”

    http://archive.li/XiYk2

  12. Treetop 12
    26 April 2020 at 12:00 pm

    I have been giving redundancies a thought.

    Will a privately run business fall over before a government funded business?

    Which businesses are likely to have the highest redundancies?

    Which level is going to create the worst unemployment?

    I cannot see people having the same interest in running a daycare or a rest home if privately run. As well working in these professions a person's health would need to be assessed more carefully. The fees are out of reach already for some and increasing fees would probably not be enough to save the business.

    • Cinny 12.1
      26 April 2020 at 12:24 pm

      20 free hours childcare, that means childcare centres won't fall over, makes no difference if its private or a kindy.

      Aged care…. if you can't pay for it the state will. So that's taken care of too.

      Treetop, don't worry about the aged care and child care going broke, they'll both be just fine. Instead how about thinking of new ideas and innovations, cup half full and all that.

      • Treetop 12.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 12:53 pm

        The 20 hours free ECE is for age 3 and above. Often there is a surcharge on top of this. There is a MSD subsidy for fees but again often not enough and it is means tested. Kindergartens are insulated due to being fully government funded. There is a disparity in pay between privately run and government run ECE staff.

        Rest homes have been understaffed for decades and some of the food is not nutrious enough for the health of the residents.

        Improvements are required and there is a cost for this. Often the young and the old are the most overlooked when it comes to their needs being met.

    • Blazer 12.2
      26 April 2020 at 1:38 pm

      In the Great Depression working for the Govt was the best job you could have.

      • Treetop 12.2.1
        26 April 2020 at 2:02 pm

        So I believe that was the case.

        Do you know if there was a wage cut for a government worker during the depression or longer hours without pay were worked?

        • Heather Grimwood 12.2.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 2:23 pm

          to Treetop at 11.2.1 : I know my father as principal of a sole school was able to KEEP his job because he had a child…..me. Presumably the intention was to substitute an untrained teacher. As well, teachers' training colleges were shut for some time and for a year, entrance to school was raised from five to six years. I estimate the latter would have been in 1934.

          This info must be in government records somewhere.

          • Treetop 12.2.1.1.1
            26 April 2020 at 3:15 pm

            Thank you for sharing this family history. You would have seen a lot of changes in your lifetime in so many ways.

            I can see by what you wrote that the government tried to reduce educational costs during the depression.

            I have a friend with 2 young children who is in her last semester for her degree. It is a long semester and she will need to rely on daycare for her youngest and ECE care for her preschooler. I find the terms ECE and daycare to have their separate issues. I tend to use daycare for under age 3 and ECE for age 3 and 4.

  13. RedLogix 13
    26 April 2020 at 12:04 pm

    You're probably right.

    Weka was making a good point in her OP that mocking and sneering at Trump's weak grasp of the science is counterproductive. And yet the comments mostly headed off in just that direction (with some honourably constructive exceptions).

    I've been in this boat many times before, defending the unpopular. Hell remember Philip Field? I still think at least part of his treatment was racist as hell, and I mean that word in it's original powerful meaning. But pointing that out was not what most people wanted to hear at the time.

    It never meant I supported what Field did; it was clearly a bad misjudgement and he was always going to be pinged for it. But the way he was utterly crushed struck me as vengeful and beyond just.

    Yes I'm well aware that it would be so much easier to self-censor sometimes. But in the end silence is complicit.

    [“Weka was making a good point in her OP that mocking and sneering at Trump’s weak grasp of the science is counterproductive.”

    No, I didn’t say that at all. I said that ridiculing anti-vaxxer/conspiracy theory/alt health types is ineffective for the same reasons that calling Trump supporters deplorables is. Trump himself deserves to be ridiculed.

    I don’t think what I wrote is hard to parse, and I’ve offered to clarify. You’ve admitted you didn’t read the post properly. This is something like the third time I’ve asked you to stop mispresenting/misinterpreting my post. Please stop doing this because it looks like your misusing my post to run your own lines in the comments. – weka]

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

    • RedLogix 13.1
      26 April 2020 at 2:30 pm

      Trump himself deserves to be ridiculed.

      If it's perfectly OK to mock Trump with inaccurate headlines that you openly accept he didn't say, then exactly why do you feel it necessary to move comments to OM when you feel I've misrepresented your own words?

      You get to run the rules as you see fit on your own threads, but this is now in OM.

      My point is an important one; if the left wants to present itself as kind, empathetic and inclusive … we cannot pick and choose who is on the inside or outside. If you want to make justice the pivot of your worldview, then you have to be as just to Trump as you are to anyone else. No matter how much it pains you to do so.

      Yes by all means point out his lack of clarity and correct it if you really feel the need. Although I have to say when I first watched the video I managed to translate it without concluding I had to run out and inject Janola in my veins; as did most grown-ups. Trump as usual made a mess of this; but gratuitously mocking him for his weak grasp of the science is the same as mocking his supporters. And these are the people we want to vote Biden in a few months time.

      The man is utterly unfit to the President in any meaningful sense; but this is not the way to remove him.

      • weka 13.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 2:54 pm

        I wasn't mocking Trump with the headline, I was poking at people who think Trump's not so bad. You still don't understand the post, which is fine, but please stay out of it for the rest of the day, because this is solidly in derail territory now.

        • RedLogix 13.1.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 3:22 pm

          I want Trump gone more than anyone else. Coming from an internationalist perspective (and with my climate change hat on), Trump has been nothing but a disaster.

          You made a perfectly sound point when you said that mocking and sneering at people whose minds you want to change is counterproductive. I don't believe I misused it at all. Far too many people who might otherwise happily support progressive causes are repelled by the open hypocrisy of the left when it says how fair and kind it is, and acts cruelly on the other.

          In political terms the US Democrats hold their own fate in their hands. The factional alliances that underpin both the Republicans and Democrats are in complete turmoil at the moment; and the party that gets it's act together first will be the one that takes power in the US. The Democrat establishment have wasted much the past four years on tearing down Trump rather than building their own alliances. Ironically some of their primary candidates actually got that … but they all got eliminated.

          • Drowsy M. Kram 13.1.1.1.1
            26 April 2020 at 3:26 pm

            "I want Trump gone more than anyone else."
            I just want him gone – it's not a ‘virtue signalling‘ competition wink

      • Gabby 13.1.2
        26 April 2020 at 5:16 pm

        Gratuitously?

  14. Scumbag Andy 14
    26 April 2020 at 12:10 pm

    No, I didn't write this. No one would believe it.

    Asshole tells everyone he an asshole, no one cares.

    I wonder what his lawyer will do. I wonder what his accountant will do. I wonder what the government will do. I wonder what the IRD will do. I wonder what his employees will do. Nah, I'm just fuckin with ya. I know what all those people will do.

    These are the kind of cunts our government sought to appease by easing a level 4 lockdown that was almost working. For the price of four working days, and any claims of bold leadership or coherent planning, we can go back to work for the Tony Black's of our country on Tuesday. Some come on down, bring the kids, there's a BBq'd sausage waiting for you!

    • weka 14.1
      26 April 2020 at 12:48 pm

      Sacha saved me from writing many sentences,

      https://twitter.com/kaupapa/status/1254207356541390848

      • McFlock 14.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 6:21 pm

        Lol he's changed his story a bit now.

        Apparently now he'll happily pay the money back that doesn't go straight to staff.

        So much for his "lolly scramble".

        • I Feel Love 14.1.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 6:26 pm

          I just thought it was macho king of industry macho postering, a catch 22 really, if his business doesn't need the money he'll have to pay it back, if he does need it he won't have to. He's shown himself to be quite a dick really.

        • Incognito 14.1.1.2
          26 April 2020 at 7:13 pm

          If the money had just been deposited into the business account he might have had a point but he applied for it and met the eligibility criteria and unless his situation has changed markedly he’ll still be entitled to it. Actually, his employees are entitled to it since it is a wage subsidy scheme.

          • weka 14.1.1.2.1
            26 April 2020 at 8:42 pm

            It's not clear to me that he can hang onto the money for the rest of the financial year if he doesn't use it over the 12 weeks. Would also like to know what happens with the interest earned in that time.

    • pat 14.2
      26 April 2020 at 12:56 pm

      forensic audit

      • AB 14.2.1
        26 April 2020 at 3:28 pm

        Yep – his entire tax arrangements over several years could perhaps do with some scrutiny.

    • Stunned Mullet 14.3
      26 April 2020 at 1:07 pm

      At the risk of being shouted down at least he is being honest.

      Add to that the primary eligibility criteria is….

      Is your actual or predicted revenue down at least 30% in any four-week period between January and 9 June 2020 because of COVID-19?

      Being a fairly low bar when the majority of business is locked down for a five week period, he makes some reasonable points through clearly not in the way many at this forum would like.

      Do people really believe that there won't be many many businesses that will have taken a similar view ?

      • pat 14.3.1
        26 April 2020 at 1:14 pm

        It is a low bar…but comes with obligations that must be fulfilled.

        "Employers must pass the full amount received onto the employee, except where a person’s income is normally less than the subsidy amount (i.e. $250 a week), in which case they can be paid their normal salary. Any difference should be used for the wages of other affected staff – the wage subsidy is designed to keep your employees connected to their employers."

        "The modified Wage Subsidy Scheme, and the previous COVID-19 leave and wage subsidy schemes, are considered excluded income to businesses and are also GST exempt. When passed on as wages, businesses don’t get a deduction for income tax purposes.

        Payments to employees under the modified Wage Subsidy Scheme, and the previous COVID-19 wage subsidy and leave schemes, are wages. Therefore, they are subject to standard deductions like PAYE, ACC levies, KiwiSaver contributions and student loan repayments."

        https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/other-types-of-leave/coronavirus-workplace/wage-subsidy/

        • Stunned Mullet 14.3.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 1:48 pm

          Yep – and there's no indication he doesn't intend to abide by those requirements.

          I understand the indignant responses to his comments which to be fair isn't helped by the way the article framed them.

          • pat 14.3.1.1.1
            26 April 2020 at 2:39 pm

            There will be thousands of SMEs cursing him to hell and back for highlighting his fortunate position….not to mention a few industry representative bodies.

            • Stunned Mullet 14.3.1.1.1.1
              26 April 2020 at 2:43 pm

              No doubt.

              What it also highlights for me is that updates of the pandemic response plan in future should include detailed information on governmental economic response and allowable activities during and after lockdown informed from our experiences now and over the next 6-12 months.

              • pat …
                26 April 2020 at 3:22 pm

                His criticisms of the subsidy are pedantic as it was in place and delivering the needed assurance within days to enable the lockdown….and covered a period required to enable elimination of the virus.

                Support programmes overseas have been panned for failing to deliver support in weeks or indeed sometimes months (trump cheque anyone?)…I think we know how it would have been received here had there been a protracted application and approval process.

                • KJT …
                  26 April 2020 at 3:31 pm

                  "Throwing money around" is the only possible response. Even the most "anti Government spending" proponents have their hands out, now. And the most "Small Government" right wing Governments, are doing it.

                  Fine Targeting is impossible in the necessary time frame.

                  Some will end up in the wrong places, but as long as overall, it supports workers and businesses to continue, it has succeeded.

                  • Graeme …
                    26 April 2020 at 8:59 pm

                    We are receiving the subsidy and have found the process completely seamless and efficient. The design, with having the recipients published, is quite elegant and will have kept a lot of people a bit more honest than they otherwise may have been. Although after making the application I thought "Is that all I have to do???"

                    Have been audited too, two payments to the same account got the flags up. That was about a week after the payments came through and was professional and courteous. Most impressed with the job MSD have done here.

            • McFlock 14.3.1.1.2.1
              26 April 2020 at 5:38 pm

              The only way for him to make money off it is to have money coming in while the govt pays his employees. Fair enough. Good for him.

              Anything else (inflating his salary/wage as director, inflating his predicted profit, not paying his other employees) would make his little puff piece a very foolish move indeed.

  15. pat 15
    26 April 2020 at 12:10 pm

    “Rescue measures absolutely must come with conditions attached. Now that the state is back to playing a leading role, it must be cast as the hero rather than as a naive patsy. That means delivering immediate solutions, but designing them in such a way as to serve the public interest over the long term.”

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/04/26/1141709/a-message-for-the-timid-fearful-and-selfish

    "Conversions from selfish to selfless are rare. Those who benefited the most from the status quo will fight hard to restore and enhance their position. Examples abound in this crisis."

  16. dv 16
    26 April 2020 at 12:37 pm

    Two interesting (scary) articles

    1 As mass coronavirus testing expands in U.S. prisons, the results are revealing a shocking truth about the virus — large numbers of infected inmates are showing no symptoms. In four state prison systems — Arkansas, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia — 96% of the over 3,200 inmates who tested positive for the coronavirus were asymptomatic.

    https://play.stuff.co.nz/details/_6152092116001

    2 Young people, with mild to no symptoms of Covid-19, are dying of strokes related to the virus, doctors have warned.

    The experts say Covid-19 seems to be the cause for sudden strokes in adults in their 30s and 40s, who are otherwise healthy.
    The virus seems to be causing increased clotting in the large arteries, leading to severe stroke,” Dr Thomas Oxley, a neurosurgeon at Mount Sinai Health System in New York, told CNN.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12327627&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nzh_fb&fbclid=IwAR3wtCgqFAjDWOCrLLh6v1uCYj453O4qrrpf9OFLhFigwfc41NNOIpqNJ3c

  17. adam 17
    26 April 2020 at 1:08 pm

    Personalisation of politics is not helpful.

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

    • weka 17.1
      26 April 2020 at 1:16 pm

      Personally I find indirect casting of aspersions on others via language that avoids being specific much more of a problem.

      This isn’t just politics. It’s also human interaction in a very specific culture and as an author and mod that often requires being specific to individual people.

      I did you the respect of responding in depth to your comment under my post. A comment that had some interesting points, but appeared to be ignoring the content and point of the post. Your response is to that is to make another indirect criticism of me or my comment.

      • adam 17.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 1:19 pm

        Feel free to delete it.

        Edit: Because I’m not attacking you – but you think I am. If that is what you think then deleting my post seems the only option.

        • Incognito 17.1.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 1:29 pm

          Feel free to miss/ignore the point.

          Ever wondered why comments are moved to OM instead of outright deleted here, even with, or particularly with a note or comment from a Moderator?

          • adam 17.1.1.1.1
            26 April 2020 at 1:33 pm

            Thanks for the condescension incogneto.

            • weka 17.1.1.1.1.1
              26 April 2020 at 1:38 pm

              Take the day off please adam. It's not that what you are doing is hugely problematic, but I'm out of patience for long termers here not paying attention to what moderators are asking or suggesting.

            • Incognito 17.1.1.1.1.2
              26 April 2020 at 2:02 pm

              Any time 😉

        • weka 17.1.1.2
          26 April 2020 at 1:36 pm

          "Because I’m not attacking you – but you think I am"

          No, I don't, I just think you are disrespecting me somewhat as an author, and unwilling to engage in debate /shrug. I still hope that will change for you because I think you have important ideas to bring to the table.

          Plus, what Incog said.

  18. Chris T 18
    26 April 2020 at 2:33 pm

    I am sad and pathetic I know, but was just looking at the order paper for Parliament restarting Tuesday.

    It has oral questions listed

    Will be interesting to see how that works.

    It might have already been brought up, and forgive me if it has, but are they just having minimal MPs in the chamber itself, or are they doing it online?

    • observer 18.1
      26 April 2020 at 2:36 pm

      Plan is for minimal MPs (not sure how many).

      At least there will be a lot less "Who said that?" from the Speaker. Hard for the naughty ones to hide.

      • Chris T 18.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 2:41 pm

        “Which MP just said that watching online!! Get out of bed and withdraw and apologies at your laptop. And for christs sake put some pants on first!”.

      • Treetop 18.1.2
        26 April 2020 at 3:33 pm

        There could be a strong National party presence. Don't know how they will manage the 2m physical distancing. Will be interesting to see how they do the seating.

        How mobile are the seats in the debating chamber?

        As for the naughty ones, yes could be a bit exposed if low numbers.

  19. joe90 19
    26 April 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Get ready everyone, it's happening.

    [Sure is, but what? Only way to find out is to click on a non-descriptive link, which I refuse to do, for a number of reasons. Remember good old Ed the commenter here? Do you remember what one of his main ‘crimes’ was? – Incognito]

    [lprent: It is funny though. joe – how about learning how to embed a image. ]

    • Incognito 19.1
      26 April 2020 at 4:06 pm

      See my Moderation note @ 3:25 PM.

      • joe90 19.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 4:56 pm

        Or folk could mouse-over and see that it's a reddit image.

        • Incognito 19.1.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 5:10 pm

          Didn’t see the three letters “png” in the long link; do you know how many bloody links I see here every day? Anyway, what Lynn said.

      • McFlock 19.1.2
        26 April 2020 at 5:44 pm

        I'm actually a bit hazy on how to embed images here.

        • weka 19.1.2.1
          26 April 2020 at 5:53 pm

          lots of them end up being too large.

        • lprent 19.1.2.2
          26 April 2020 at 6:09 pm

          Use the “Source” to shift to HTML.
          <img href=”URL” width=”550px” />

          Change the URL to whatever the image address is. Don’t abuse it or have extra large images. I tend to turn off the ability to use it rather than educating people.

          • McFlock 19.1.2.2.1
            26 April 2020 at 6:14 pm

            ah old school, cheers

            Any chance of a UI button like the hyperlink & blockquotes?

            • lprent 19.1.2.2.1.1
              26 April 2020 at 7:13 pm

              Nope. I'm using a standard tool for the comment editor, and that isn't an option.

              Plus I think I am going to have to look at images and video. I just realised that those are why the jump to a comment #comment-xxxxxxx isn't working too well. Need to look at changing the timing of the jump to the anchor.

  20. Treetop 20
    26 April 2020 at 3:37 pm

    That is so funny.

  21. Muttonbird 21
    26 April 2020 at 7:54 pm

    Farrar watch:

    Farrar, in his delivery of National Party strategy, has started posting Australian stats state by state in comparison to New Zealand. He even made his own table (he provided no link).

    He’s a stats man and his is a deliberate attack on New Zealand to make us look worse. Miraculously, it places NZ near the bottom of a table of ten!

    But the real cynical bit was his use of "ANZAC" in the title of the post.

    This politicises our pandemic response using the sacrifices of Kiwi servicemen and their families. The same servicemen who went to war to end persecution of Jews in Europe.

    It is a new low from Farrar and completely tone deaf.

    He and his paymasters seriously need to take a look at themselves and start reading the room.

    • Incognito 21.1
      26 April 2020 at 8:20 pm

      Don’t worry about DPF, he’s not worth it. Today he also agreed with the pseudo-academic Steve Elers. It has got nothing to do with stats but everything with (media and data) manipulation and anti-government propaganda.

      • Muttonbird 21.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 8:30 pm

        But I do.

        John Key personally thanked Farrar in a victory speech. This shows how important to the National Party his polling and blogging is.

        Journalists read Kiwiblog for leads and opinion. I think it's really important to push back when he makes a blunder as I believe he has done here. The push back might not rate any column inches but at least it gets the journalists thinking.

        I also like to call out his hypocrisy whenever it occurs, which is quite a lot. Farrar hates nothing more than the questioning of his integrity.

        • Incognito 21.1.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 9:12 pm

          I cannot see any analysis or opinion from the OP himself. The wee ranking table is nothing much and includes one oddity, which is the inclusion of Australia-overall in the ranking. I think DPF used it as a ‘fuse’ to light the commentariat with, which seems to have worked well. Only a fool would have taken that table one step further but DPF hadn’t – the KB commentariat did.

          • Muttonbird 21.1.1.1.1
            26 April 2020 at 9:20 pm

            Farrar's posting is never innocent or by accident.

            It serves as an extension of Curia's focus groups. He needs not provide analysis or opinion because his opinion is implicit when viewed alongside the rest of his posting and opinion.

            Farrar is an extension of the National Party and the dragging down of New Zealand's Covid-19 response is a part of both their strategies.

            Let's not be naive about that.

    • solkta 21.2
      26 April 2020 at 8:37 pm

      The same servicemen who went to war to end persecution of Jews in Europe.

      You do know that is not why we went to war eh. Just saying.

      • In Vino 21.2.1
        26 April 2020 at 8:48 pm

        Agree. Not attacking Muttonbird – our men went to war because they were told and agreed that Nazis were not nice at the time.

        Only after the war were most of our soldiers aware of persecution of Jews.

        More a technicality than a major disagreement.

        • solkta 21.2.1.1
          26 April 2020 at 9:19 pm

          As a country we went to war because Germany invaded Poland and so we followed Britain in declaring war. Most men went because they were conscripted.

      • Muttonbird 21.2.2
        26 April 2020 at 9:06 pm

        Kristallnacht:

        Kristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass, also called the November Pogrom, was a pogrom against Jews carried out by SA paramilitary forces and civilians throughout Nazi Germany on 9–10 November 1938.

        Pogrom:

        A pogrom is a violent riot aimed at the massacre or persecution of an ethnic or religious group, particularly one aimed at Jews.

        It's wrong to say New Zealand and Australian servicemen were ignorant of the plight of Jews in Europe under Nazi rule.

        • solkta 21.2.2.1
          26 April 2020 at 9:29 pm

          I didn't say this, did you mean to reply to In Vino?

        • In Vino 21.2.2.2
          27 April 2020 at 10:51 am

          Sorry, Muttonbird, but I suspect that the majority of our soldiers would have had little idea of what Kristalnacht was. My father was in the second intake of NZIEF, and never mentioned it. I don't believe that such events got huge coverage here: only a small minority would be likely to be aware. The Poles also held big pogroms against the Jews – did we hear of them?

          • Muttonbird 21.2.2.2.1
            27 April 2020 at 11:23 am

            Fact remains NZ servicemen and their families made huge sacrifices to defeat Germany and its allies in WWI and the Germany and its allies in WWII which ended the persecution of Jews in Europe.

            Farrar knows this but cynically used the term ANZAC for political gain. If he'd used the ANZAC spirit in a post about NZ/AUS unity fighting Covid-19 that might be different but his motivation is to undermine NZ's pandemic response in an effort to weaken the Labour-led government.

    • Alice Tectonite 21.3
      27 April 2020 at 8:49 am

      PDF is using NZ confirmed plus probable compared to confirmed cases only for Australia (they don't record probable cases).

      Either he is spectacularly ignorant about stats & data (unlikely given his job) or has deliberately inflated NZ's total to make the government look bad.

  22. Stunned Mullet 22
    26 April 2020 at 8:08 pm

    I popped over for a look – I think you're seeing things that aren't there.

    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2020/04/latest_anzac_covid_stats.html

    • Muttonbird 22.1
      26 April 2020 at 8:22 pm

      I think you are blind to it.

      For instance, does the title of the post diminishing New Zealand's Covid-19 record use 'ANZAC', the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps?

      It's not enough to say ANZAC is a de-facto term for 'Australasian'. The correct term for that is 'Australasian'.

      ANZAC refers to the day of remembrance which Farrar has highjacked for political purposes.

      Disgraceful.

      • In Vino 22.1.1
        26 April 2020 at 8:55 pm

        Since I agreed with Solkta, I feel bound to agree with Muttonbird here. Farrar is a propagandist, and this is the low stuff he does.

  23. Fireblade 23
    26 April 2020 at 8:30 pm

    The NZ Sikh community has fed 15,000 families in just the past fortnight.

    "People from any ethnicity, any religion are welcome. We are all one and in this difficult time we are all New Zealanders. We should all stand with the wider community," says Daljit Singh.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/04/sikh-community-feeds-15k-families-over-past-fortnight.html

  24. Eco Maori 24
    27 April 2020 at 6:28 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Level 3 tomorrow cool.

    That's was the question.

    At least our lock down was not as strict as that.

    Ka kite Ano

  25. Eco Maori 25
    27 April 2020 at 6:53 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    No fast Kai for me but I see Burger King is running got a Email reka Te dubble whopper.

    It is good that our homeless people have rooms to stay in now.

    Ka kite Ano

  26. Eco Maori 26
    28 April 2020 at 8:49 am

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    I think what the travel restrictions are to try to minimise your travel that minimise the risk of catching or spreading the virus.

    There you go travelling for mahi stay in your region.

    Let's all try to have a positive attitude after all we are lucky to be living in the Ion age.

    Looks like most people on the Show will be indulging in a wee while.

    Ka kite Ano

  27. Eco Maori 27
    28 April 2020 at 6:29 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    The tradies back to mahi.

    Its good to see the government helping regional economy's get up and running.

    Ka kite Ano.

  28. Eco Maori 28
    28 April 2020 at 6:51 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    There you go anyone can end up under the bridge.

    Queuing for hours is not fast Kai it only takes 15 minutes to cook a quick kia stuff waiting hours.

    I agree looking after the environment and low income whanau is needed and will boost the economy.

    Good to see how the virus is affecting other indigenous cultures around the world.

    Ka kite Ano.

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    It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • “Unprecedented”
    Today, former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson went on trial on health and safety charges for the death of one of his workers. The Herald calls the trial "unprecedented". Firstly, it's only "unprecedented" because WorkSafe struck a corrupt and unlawful deal to drop charges against Peter Whittall over Pike ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Time for “Fast-Track Watch”
    Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on fast track powers, media woes and the Tiktok ban
    Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    Bryce Edwards writes-  The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    1 day ago

  • Maori push for parallel government structures
    Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • An announcement about an announcement
    Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • All the Green Tech in China.
    Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Western Express Success
    In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix of the news links at 7:16am on Monday, April 22
    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 7:16am on Monday, April 22:Labour says Kiwis at greater risk from loan sharks as Govt plans to remove borrowing regulations NZ Herald Jenee TibshraenyHow did the cost of moving two schools blow out to more than $400m?A ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to April 29 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16
    A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Thank you
    This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
    Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
    Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
    Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
    Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
    In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the Rule If you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
    Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • What Are Struts on a Car?
    Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
    Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
    Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
    Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    “You talking about me?”  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 days ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    4 days ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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